Special Edition: Sustainable packaging

United Biscuits to switch to rPET for all trays by end of 2010

United Biscuits is aiming to switch to rPET for all its thermoformed trays by the end of 2010 in a bid to scale up the amount of recycled packaging in...

Sweets demand fuelling hike in China's sugar imports, USDA

Products such as confectionery, biscuits and juice products are experiencing double-digit growth in China with this consumer demand fuelling an increase in the country’s sugar imports, according to a USDA...

Special edition - sustainable packaging

Industry learns the limits of lightweighting

Lightweighting can be a win-win strategy, reducing the impact of packaging on both the environment and profit margins but food and drink companies are learning that it is not always...

Noni firm wins third EU novel foods approval

The status of the noni plant as a novel food ingredient has been boosted with the manufacturer, Tahitian Noni, last week receiving its third European Union Novel Food approval for...

Imperial shares know-how on sugar dust hazards

Dust produced by sugar and flour and other materials such as wood, metal, coal and paper, can produce explosive hazards if not contained, claims Imperial Sugar Company.

Special Edition: Sustainable packaging

Sustainable packaging - road map or road to nowhere?

Sustainable packaging is a buzzword on the lips of consumers and industry players alike. But what is sustainable packaging and how far has the sector come in developing a road...

Tax on chewing gum sought in Ireland

Chewing gum manufacturers should switch to biodegradable alternatives or be subject to a levy in the interim in order to tackle the costly issue of littered chewing gum, claims a...

News in brief

Don’t confuse consumers with stevia messages, industry

The take-home lesson of last week’s Stevia World Asia conference is that getting across the right message to consumers is key to growing the market.

Sweet firm fined over worker death

Tangerine Confectionery, the UK's largest sweets manufacturer, has been fined £300,000 following on from a guilty ruling related to a worker fatality at one of its plants

Drop in demand for sugar-free sweets in US: report

The market for sugar-free sweets in the US has declined in recent years, according to a new report from Leatherhead International.

Tate & Lyle secures new sugar supply

Tate & Lyle has finalised a new sugar supply agreement with Jamaica, which secures just under 10 per cent of its annual stocks.

Cocoa supplies likely to be down on last year, report

Latest data on cocoa output from the world's leading cocoa growers, the Ivory Coast and Ghana, shows that levels are well-below last year, according to Reuters.

Dietary sugars may be affecting cholesterol levels: Study

Increasing intakes of sugars from processed and prepared foods may detrimentally affect levels of HDL ‘good’ cholesterol, says a new study from the US.

Ingredients drive ABF's strong performance

Strong performance in the Americas, particularly for bakery ingredients, has seen Associated British Foods (ABF) post an operating profit up 25 per cent.

Wrigley set to replace foil with paper in gum wraps

US based Wrigley is set to switch from aluminium foil wrappers to paper for the packaging of its five leading chewing-gum brands.

News in brief

EFSA aspartame consultation cancelled due to travel doubts

An April 23 EFSA consultation to discuss its safety review of aspartame has been cancelled due to travel uncertainties, as volcanic ash from Iceland continues to cause problems with air travel.

EFSA lowers ADI for food colour in re-evaluation

The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA), in adoption of opinions on three further food colours used in bakery and confectionery products, has confirmed intake levels for one colour, halved the...

Thornton's remains 'cautious' about choc market outlook

Below par Easter sales along with disruption from severe weather conditions have hindered profits at UK based chocolate maker and retailer Thornton’s.

Fibers show potential for gelatin replacement in candy

Soluble fibers may replace gelatin, at least partially, in confectionery products, tapping into consumer demands for gelatin-free products, according to Singapore-based scientists.

Ti forecasts bioplastics boost after entry to BoPLA market

BoPP film producer Taghleef Industries (Ti) has announced plans to enter the bioplastics polylactic acid (BoPLA) packaging market by the end of this year.

Nestlé proposes ‘modest’ pay rise at York

Nestlé UK has offered staff at its York factory a 1% pay rise in order to avert the threat of industrial action.

Probiotic gums and candies show oral health potential

Probiotic bacteria that work in the presence of saliva and various sugars could soon be reducing rates of tooth decay in gums and candies, says a leading researcher.

Comment

Groundhog Day for European health claims?

“Many in industry are pinning their hopes on EFSA showing them the light at the meeting, including the likes of Danone, which withdrew three probiotic immunity/digestive health article 13.5 claims...

Biofuels to blame for palm oil deforestation, says Nestlé

Political decisions encouraging biofuel production from palm oil is causing deforestation in Indonesia and not the low tonnage sourced by Kit Kat maker Nestlé, according to the chairman of the...

Latest cocoa stats reveal ‘higher than expected’ increase

North American cocoa bean grindings revealed a double-digit growth in the first quarter of 2010, the first gain since 2008, according to the latest statistics released from the National Confectioners Association (NCA).

News in brief

UK food and drink exports surge on back of weak sterling

UK food and drink exports grew by 4.4% to a record £9.65bn in 2009, boosted by the weak pound, according to figures just released by the Food and Drink Federation (FDF).

Dark chocolate could be beneficial to liver patients

Eating dark chocolate reduces damage to the blood vessels of cirrhotic patients and also lowers blood pressure in the liver, according to research presented this week at the International Liver...

Job cuts threatened at Mars UK production site

In a review of manufacturing operations as part of ongoing initiatives to remain competitive, Mars UK said that there could be potential job losses at its facility in Slough.

Stevia suppliers welcome EFSA opinion

Stevia suppliers have welcomed EFSA’s positive scientific opinion on the safety of stevia-derived sweeteners, saying it paves the way for generating more consumer interest in the natural sweetener.

Consumers regard sweeteners with suspicion

Many British consumers still regard sweeteners with suspicion, although in practice, very few actively avoid products that contain them, according to research commissioned by the British Nutrition Foundation (BNF).

Mars sues over cocoa flavanols

Mars Inc is suing Nutraceuticals, Life Extension Foundation and Naturex for infringing nine patents covering the manufacture of its CirkuHealth cocoa flavanols.

EFSA opinion paves way for EU approval of stevia-based sweeteners

EU approval for natural sweeteners from the stevia leaf has moved one step closer after scientists at the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) gave them a clean bill of health.

Analyst sees 2011 recovery as European cocoa grindings rise

European cocoa grindings in the first quarter of 2010 rose 8.1 per cent on the year, the biggest first-quarter gain in four years, according to data from the European Cocoa...

Sweetener blends show prebiotic chocolate potential

Blends of low-calorie sweeteners like maltitol with polydextrose boosted gut microflora when formulated in chocolate with excellent tolerance, says a new study from the University of Reading.

Chesapeake eyes CEE expansion after Polish packaging takeover

Chesapeake has acquired a leading Polish label and carton operation in a bid to expand its share of the Central and Eastern European (CEE) market.

Comment

Time for Europe to send bisphenol A into the sunset

Bisphenol A (BPA) is living on borrowed time. And not just in the United States but now in Europe too where mounting consumer hostility and scientific concern over its...

Kraft mandates banks to sell Cadbury plants

US food group, Kraft, has recruited the services of financial powerhouses HSBC and BNP Paribas to help divest it of the Polish and Romanian businesses of Cadbury, according to media...

Cargill upbeat about future Vietnamese cocoa output

A new cocoa buying station in Vietnam will support an ongoing programme of cocoa farming expertise transfer and shows the high expectations Cargill has for cocoa development in the country,...

Trademark infringement case favours Ferrero, report

A French court has ordered German manufacturer Candy Team to pay €200,000 in damages to Italian confectioner Ferrero over trademark infringement, according to a media report.

News in brief

Raisio finalises UK snack food acquisition

Finland’s Raisio has announced it has finalised the acquisition of British snack foods manufacturer Glisten PLC, as the Finnish food manufacturer eyes opportunities for growth.

Campaigners welcome pledge from Australian firm on cocoa supply

World Vision Australia said it has taken the decision to pause campaigning activities aimed at chocolate-based product manufacturer, Arnott’s, for a six month period in response to the company publicly...

Segregated palm oil to hit European market

Segregated sustainable palm oil will be available on the European market in the coming months, as IOI-Loders Crokaan and New Britain open dedicated refineries. The news marks the latest...

Common gums may mask bitter taste of antioxidants

The common food gum CMC may mask the bitter taste of polyphenols and allow the formulation of foods for delivering the antioxidant compounds, suggests new research.

Kraft acted 'irresponsibly' in Cadbury takeover, claims UK report

Kraft’s reputation in the UK has been badly hit by its behaviour during the acquisition of Cadbury and it should be subject to continuous scrutiny over its subsequent pledges, claim...

Comment

Slimmer cans could lead to bigger waistlines

Soft drink makers could end up swallowing a £10m bill for no good reason by embracing the Food Standards Agency (FSA) recommendations for new slim-line 250ml drinks.

No safety concerns noted over OSA modified gum acacia

Gum acacia modified with n-octenyl succinic anhydride (OSA) is safe for use as an emulsifier in flavourings and in foods, finds the European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) following a risk...

Verification scheme to develop Allanblackia supply chain

A new initiative is underway to develop to supply chain for oil from the African Allanblackia tree oil in food and personal care products by devising a verification scheme for...

No need to reconsider aspartame opinion, experts

A team of national experts drawn from EU member states has concluded that there is no new evidence on aspartame that would require EFSA to reassess its opinion that the...

News in brief

Saputo closes milk and cream processing plant

Saputo is closing a plant in Ontario, Canada, which processes milk and cream products, and consolidating distribution activities in the greater Toronto area.

Barry Callebaut posts gains in contracting chocolate market

Chocolate maker Barry Callebaut has reported increased profits and sales volumes for the six months to the end of February 2010, despite a declining global chocolate market.

Matrix all important in Southampton colour switch-out

Food and beverage companies should aim to address all their reformulation issues at the same time as replacing Southampton colours, say Campden BRI experts, as subsequent changes to the matrix...